2016 has seen the highest participation levels in the Bank of Ireland Leinster School of Excellence with 1,000 participants aged 12-17 years taking part in the famous rugby programme.
The Bank of Ireland Leinster School of Excellence in its 18th year since its conception now attracts players not only nationwide but also from across the globe. The rugby programme is based in The King’s Hospital School attracted player from countries such as Dubai, Canada, Japan, America plus various European countries.
This year, a second residential and non-residential girl’s rugby camp was added to the programme. Boys and girls alike got to join highly qualified rugby coaches and trained like a professional player over a total of four weeks.
Participants were given the opportunity to listen to guest speakers such as Kevin McLaughlin (Former Leinster Captain and Ireland player), Peter Smyth (Leinster Rugby Academy Manager), Trevor Hogan (Former Leinster player and current Talent ID Coach) and Declan O’Brien (Former Leinster player and current Assistant Ireland Women’s coach).
Also Leinster Rugby academy players Max Deegan (World Junior Player of the Year), Terry Kennedy, Conor O’Brien, James Ryan (Leinster U20 Captain), Jack Power, Hugo Kean, Ian Fitzpatrick and Charlie Rock visited the rugby programme each week. The player conducted a Q&A session and joined in with groups on specific rugby drills.
Participants who attended from as little as €;275 availed of the following weekly:
- Top class coaching from professional coaches
- Sports psychology seminars for the young player
- Nutritional talks for the young player
- Daily swimming pool recovery sessions
- Daily video analysis feedback
- Weekly visits from current Leinster Academy players
- Weekly guest speakers
- Flexibility gym sessions
- Team building activities
- All meals provided – breakfast/lunch/dinner & supper
- New menu approved by Leinster Rugby team nutritionist
Tom McKeown, Leinster School of Excellence Manager added “Leinster Rugby is extremely pleased with this year’s Bank of Ireland Leinster School of Excellence programme. We had 1,000 boys and girls attend which is a fantastic indicator of the popularity of the camp. We believe this is mainly down to the quality of coaching that each player receives both on and off the pitch. We endeavour to continually improve the offering year on year and the improvements in players over the week are spectacular. We’re looking forward to next year’s camps already’.
